Get Tickets Now for "Salute to Century Farms"
in Greene County Sept. 30

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Put on your jeans and boots and come celebrate our agricultural heritage in an historical setting and help honor the Century Farms in Greene County. The first annual "Salute to Century Farms" will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Round Barn Event Center along Clear Creek, 10731 W. US Hwy 160, Walnut Grove.

The event location is historically known as the Octagonal Barn and is located 3.5 miles east of Ash Grove on Hwy. 160 (northwest of Springfield). The barn was built in 1880 and is probably the earliest polygonal or round barn in Missouri. It is the largest known barn of its type in the state and is the only one with full stone wall construction.

During the event, Greene County Extension will honor those being named "Century Farms" this year. An hour of musical entertainment will be provided by Acoustic Essays, a traditional bluegrass and classic country band that has played at many area venues including Silver Dollar City. Attendees will be treated to a full meal provided by Maggie Mae's Catering from Miller.

Our guest speaker will be David Baker, assistant dean of agriculture extension at the University of Missouri. He will discuss the 100 year history of Cooperative Extension and the challenges facing family farms in the coming 15-20 years.

Farms in Greene County being recognized as Century Farms include for 2014 are Charles and Katherine Buckner of Fair Grove. We will also recognize the 2013 farms at this year's event: Robert and Mary Mays of Ash Grove; John and Doris Breakbill of Republic; and Warren D. Hardy Jr. of Rogersville.

Advance tickets are required and cost $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Greene County Extension office or with a check or credit card using various tickets options at online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

For 100 years, MU Extension has engaged Missourians in relevant programs based on University of Missouri research. The year 2014 marks the centennial of the Smith-Lever Act, which formalized the Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service, a national network whose purpose is to extend university-based knowledge beyond the campus.

University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything. More information is available at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene or by calling the MU Extension office in Greene County at (417) 881-8909.